“Through all the ups and downs of the economy, Americans’ expectations about their personal finances have remained essentially unchanged,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “People are slightly more positive than negative about their future family income, but most tell us things are likely to remain the same.”

There’s No Place Like Home…Nearly Eight in Ten Americans Plan to Stay Local, But a Notable Proportion Call Area Unaffordable

When it comes to their future plans, 78% of Americans say they do not plan to move out of state in the next five years. However, nearly one in five American adults — 17% — report they will move away, and 5% are unsure.

There are age differences on this question. The youngest members of the population are the least likely to stay put. While 56% of 18 to 29 year olds report they will remain where they currently live, 36% say they will bid it farewell. Among residents 30 to 44 years old, 82% will stay while 13% plan to go. Similar proportions of those 45 to 59 share these views. Here, 80% of these residents think they will not move to another state while 16% will. Americans who are 60 and older are the most likely to stay local. 89% say they will not pack up and move out of state, while only 7% report they will.

Among American adults who do plan to move out of state, the leading reason they cite is jobs. 17% report this to be the case. 13%, however, say the cost of living is their motivating factor while the desire to move near family — 12% — rounds out the top three reasons.

When it comes to the cost of living in the place where they live, 62% of American adults view their local area as affordable. A notable 39% say it is not. There are age differences on this question. Younger Americans are the most likely to consider their local region to be affordable. 68% of these residents have this view. Looking at older Americans, 59% of those age 30 to 44, 58% between 45 and 59 years old, and 62% of those 60 and older agree.

62% view their local area as affordable, yet 39% say it is not! Now, unless mathematics has changed since my school days, I would be worried about the one schizophrenic among those polled! Just a thought.

In the UK the biggest reason for people moving out of their area (It’s not big enough to have states!) is either work or family.

Work is probably top of the list now as the economic downturn has meant an awful lot of people have lost their jobs.

If the only job you can find is in a different part of the country then so be it.

Also quite a few firms are re-locating out of London as the Business Rates and rents are much lower.

As the UK mortgage market (I’m in the mortgage business) is quite slow currently, people who have to move for their job often have to rent out the property they own as it’s difficult to find buyers and rent in the new area.

I believe the result of this poll shows more about the general optimism and pessimism of the American family, more than than it shows how the economy affects their mindset. They have pretty much the same outlook no matter what the economic climate is.